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Sep 25, 2012
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the libyans advised the americans to decrease their presence in benghazi. and the libyans say the u.s. embassy officials did not ask for more security at that meeting. and as cnn has reported, sources familiar with chris stevens' thinking say he was worried about the security threats in benghazi and in libya. and he was concerned that he could be a target. in terms of whether the attacks were preplanned, libyan officials have since day one said that attack was preplanned. now, so far the u.s. government response has frankly been confusing. u.n. ambassador susan rice has said the attacks were not preplanned. secretary clinton said she had absolutely no information or reason to believe there is any basis to suggest that the u.s. ambassador was on an al qaeda hit list as a target. the state department said u.s. officials at that post never passed along the warning from the libyan government on militias and security in benghazi. now the administration appears to be backtracking a little bit, at least on the assertion about whether the attack was preplanned or n
the libyans advised the americans to decrease their presence in benghazi. and the libyans say the u.s. embassy officials did not ask for more security at that meeting. and as cnn has reported, sources familiar with chris stevens' thinking say he was worried about the security threats in benghazi and in libya. and he was concerned that he could be a target. in terms of whether the attacks were preplanned, libyan officials have since day one said that attack was preplanned. now, so far the u.s....
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Sep 25, 2012
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as a result, there was an attack as you know on the american embassy in benghazi in libya. the ambassador christopher stevens was murdered. do you condemn the attack which caused his murder? >> translator: fundamentally, first of all, any action that is provocative offends the religious thoughts and feelings of any people, we condemn. likewise, we condemn any type of extremism. of course, what took place was ugly, offending the holy prophet is quite ugly. this has very little or nothing to do with freedom and freedom of speech. this is the weakness of -- and the abuse of freedom and in many places, it is a crime. it shouldn't take place and i do hope the day will come in which politicians will not seek to offend those whom others hold holy, but we also believe that this must also be resolved in a humane atmosphere, in a participatory environment, and we do not like anyone losing their lives or being killed for any reason anywhere in the world. >> there were protesters all over the middle east now threatening the staff of american embassies, threatening to kill them, to behe
as a result, there was an attack as you know on the american embassy in benghazi in libya. the ambassador christopher stevens was murdered. do you condemn the attack which caused his murder? >> translator: fundamentally, first of all, any action that is provocative offends the religious thoughts and feelings of any people, we condemn. likewise, we condemn any type of extremism. of course, what took place was ugly, offending the holy prophet is quite ugly. this has very little or nothing...
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Sep 25, 2012
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the attacks on the civilians in benghazi were attacks on america. we are grateful for the assistance we received from the libyan government and from the libyan people. there should be no doubt that we will be relentless in tracking down the killers and bringing them to justice. and i also appreciate that in recent days the leaders of other countries in the region, including egypt, tunisia, and yemen, have taken steps to secure our diplomatic facilities and called for calm. and so have religious authorities around the globe. but understand the attacks of the last two weeks are not simply an assault on america. they are also an assault on the very ideals upon which the united nations was founded. the notion that people can resolve their differences peacefully, that diplomacy can take the place of war, that in an interdependent world all of us have a stake in working towards greater opportunity and security for our citizens. if we are serious about upholding these ideals, it will not be enough to put more guards in front of an embassy or to put out sta
the attacks on the civilians in benghazi were attacks on america. we are grateful for the assistance we received from the libyan government and from the libyan people. there should be no doubt that we will be relentless in tracking down the killers and bringing them to justice. and i also appreciate that in recent days the leaders of other countries in the region, including egypt, tunisia, and yemen, have taken steps to secure our diplomatic facilities and called for calm. and so have religious...
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Sep 27, 2012
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they've never made it to benghazi. >> they haven't been on the ground in benghazi? >> they have not. in fact, it was taking so long to get permission to get into tripoli, the fbi deployed closer. they have conducted interviews of those in labia at the time of the attack, but not been able to get -- they've gotten as far as tripoli, but never gotten to benghazi. they made a request that the crime scene be security. as we know from arwa damon's reporting and other public reporting, the state department, we don't know whether the state department put that request to the libyans and whether it was denied. what we know for sure is the crime scene was never secured. the senior law enforcement official i spoke to said, if we get there now, it's not clear it will be of any use to us. the third and really critical and astonishing point to me that they made was, look, one of the things we have to do is question the individuals the libyans have in custody to get to the bottom of this, to understand what they're learning. in fact, they made request through the state department.
they've never made it to benghazi. >> they haven't been on the ground in benghazi? >> they have not. in fact, it was taking so long to get permission to get into tripoli, the fbi deployed closer. they have conducted interviews of those in labia at the time of the attack, but not been able to get -- they've gotten as far as tripoli, but never gotten to benghazi. they made a request that the crime scene be security. as we know from arwa damon's reporting and other public reporting,...
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Sep 26, 2012
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you've been briefed on the situation in benghazi. at that briefing, were you told that al-qaeda linked groups were responsible? >> we always have to be careful repeating what we're told in classified settings, but basically, we were told something that goes along with its consistent with what the administration was saying publicly an that was that was a upon tan yous mob, got out of hand and there wasn't consequenc consequences. doesn't make much sense if you look at common sense. the fact it was 9/11. the fact it was a highly organized attack. that's before you get into the evidence it just didn't really add up. >> i remember asking that night. people on our program. 9/11. it can't be a coincidence and people were trying to say it was and it didn't seem to add up. can you think of a reason though they wouldn't have told you if they had found out, why would they not have said so publicly? >> i don't know, erin. i'm really perplexed about that. it is true al-qaeda has been di finished, but as you point out, al-qaeda has grown, become
you've been briefed on the situation in benghazi. at that briefing, were you told that al-qaeda linked groups were responsible? >> we always have to be careful repeating what we're told in classified settings, but basically, we were told something that goes along with its consistent with what the administration was saying publicly an that was that was a upon tan yous mob, got out of hand and there wasn't consequenc consequences. doesn't make much sense if you look at common sense. the...
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Sep 24, 2012
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embassy in benghazi and saying he's foot dragging of really giving iran full consequences. so president obama, instead of not meeting, said he's not going to meet with anybody. the secretary is really holding down the fort this week. >> everyone waits to see what mahmoud ahmadinejad will say. the secretary general told him, my understanding, is that you may want to be a little careful. >> this is his week to come on the world stage. he's always very interesting. he loves to give a press conference where he's very fiery. basically what -- although everyone has concerned about iran's behavior in the region and its nuclear program, what president ahmadinejad says sometimes does resinate with a lot of countries in the nonaligned world, countries who feel that the west, some of these u.n. security councils are the only ones who have the say in the world. so he does have an audience. i have one more question. hillary clinton 2016, what do you know? >> personally, she doesn't tell me anything. first of all, she's tired. she needs a big nap and she wants to kind of go out, do some
embassy in benghazi and saying he's foot dragging of really giving iran full consequences. so president obama, instead of not meeting, said he's not going to meet with anybody. the secretary is really holding down the fort this week. >> everyone waits to see what mahmoud ahmadinejad will say. the secretary general told him, my understanding, is that you may want to be a little careful. >> this is his week to come on the world stage. he's always very interesting. he loves to give a...
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Sep 24, 2012
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intelligence officials still in benghazi. but you've got an intelligence service in this new government -- you don't really have a fully productive partner. those two things together do make it very challenging. but we have to be clear. there will continue to be network of informants, surveillance, whether it's technical signals intelligence. they will continue to collect against the intelligence requirements. they just have -- they're going to be certainly more challenged. >> fran, i have more questions but i want to get to this right now. a war between israel and iran, is it imminent? cnn's piers morgan put that question directly to one man who could determine whether current tension over iran's nuclear program escalates into something far more serious and deadly. listen to this part of piers' interview with the iranian president, mahmoud ahmadinejad. >> if israel does launch a strike against your country, what will your response be? >> translator: the response of iran is quite clear. i don't even need to explain that. any
intelligence officials still in benghazi. but you've got an intelligence service in this new government -- you don't really have a fully productive partner. those two things together do make it very challenging. but we have to be clear. there will continue to be network of informants, surveillance, whether it's technical signals intelligence. they will continue to collect against the intelligence requirements. they just have -- they're going to be certainly more challenged. >> fran, i...
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Sep 24, 2012
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consulate in benghazi did not meet standard u.s. consulate security requirements. this is obviously a rather damming thing to be discovering at this point to discover what happened there. jon huntsman told me he thinks consulates there who are not beefed up on security, shouldn't the administration be respond tog that? >> i think the administration is responding to it. the state department goes to regular security proceed yurs all over the world and updates them to take into account how the situation on the ground changes. i spent a lot of time in iraq and as we were transition, we looked closely at the security procedures at our consulates and embassies, so i expect in the aftermath of these incidents, there will be another review and steps will be taken to improve security where needed. >> let's talk about libya and the mixed messages. it still seems confusing to me. on the 16th of september, our ambassador called the attacks spontaneous. jay carney agreed. then called it a terrorist attack and today during a taping for the view, the president said it wasn't just
consulate in benghazi did not meet standard u.s. consulate security requirements. this is obviously a rather damming thing to be discovering at this point to discover what happened there. jon huntsman told me he thinks consulates there who are not beefed up on security, shouldn't the administration be respond tog that? >> i think the administration is responding to it. the state department goes to regular security proceed yurs all over the world and updates them to take into account how...
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Sep 27, 2012
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. >> they haven't been on the ground in benghazi? >> they have not. it was taking so long to get permission to go to tripoli, the fbi deployed the personnel to location in the region to be closer. th have conducted interviews at the state department and u government personnel who were in lia at t of the attack. but they've not again able get -- they have gott as f as tripoli and never to benghazi. they made a ruesth crene be red. as we know from our arwa damon's rerting and othereporting, we don't whether or not the state department put the request to libyans and denie or what happed to it. what we know for sure is the crime scene is never secured. information correspondent an townsend talking about this. i want to bring in bobby gos welcome back. >> thanks >> you wrote a piece in "time" magazine coming out tomorrow. and in your reporting in this article i read, you point to a specific cell of a militant group thought to conduct that attack in benghazi. tell me what you know. >> our local reporting suggests and the libyan government
. >> they haven't been on the ground in benghazi? >> they have not. it was taking so long to get permission to go to tripoli, the fbi deployed the personnel to location in the region to be closer. th have conducted interviews at the state department and u government personnel who were in lia at t of the attack. but they've not again able get -- they have gott as f as tripoli and never to benghazi. they made a ruesth crene be red. as we know from our arwa damon's rerting and...
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Sep 15, 2012
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this is the latest in a series of attacks we have seen take place in that city of benghazi targeting western interests there. that same u.s. consulate back in june, a bomb exploded outside the consulate gates. there were no casualties in that attack, but it does seem that these extremist groups are operational in the east and are intent on targeting western interests there. >> and the fbi or teams of fbi agents were expected to arrive in libya today. what's the latest on that scheduled trip? >> we're hearing from u.s. officials, fredricka, is that that trip by the fbi team has been delayed. they have postponed it because of the security situation here in libya and the region. they decided that it was not the right time to send anyone in. in their words, they do not want to put more people in harm's way. what they are doing, we understand, is that they are questioning people. they are getting witness testimony from people outside the country, including people who have been evacuated. in the meantime, the libyan authorities say their investigation is going really well. they say that th
this is the latest in a series of attacks we have seen take place in that city of benghazi targeting western interests there. that same u.s. consulate back in june, a bomb exploded outside the consulate gates. there were no casualties in that attack, but it does seem that these extremist groups are operational in the east and are intent on targeting western interests there. >> and the fbi or teams of fbi agents were expected to arrive in libya today. what's the latest on that scheduled...
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Sep 22, 2012
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consulate in benghazi. people taking to the streets yesterday in the thousands, demanding democracy, but more importantly, demanding an end to the extremist militias, who people here and the government say were in fact, behind the attack that took ambassador steven's life and the life of three other americans. what happened on friday, hundreds of these pro-democracy demonstrators began to take matters into their own hands and began to storm the various militias in the city of benghazi, including this militia. if you will remember's the libyan government has said that it has detained individuals who are a part of this group, in association with the attack on the u.s. consulate. although they say the group, as a whole was not behind that assault. >> arwa damon, in benghazi, thank you very much. >>> and prejudice is bad for society, but is it bad for you, as in can it make you sick? that is next. hey! did you know that honey nut cheerios has oats that can help lower cholesterol? and it tastes good? sure does!
consulate in benghazi. people taking to the streets yesterday in the thousands, demanding democracy, but more importantly, demanding an end to the extremist militias, who people here and the government say were in fact, behind the attack that took ambassador steven's life and the life of three other americans. what happened on friday, hundreds of these pro-democracy demonstrators began to take matters into their own hands and began to storm the various militias in the city of benghazi,...
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Sep 24, 2012
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consulate in benghazi that killed four americans including ambassador christopher stevens. yesterday libyan security forces say they raided several militia sites in tripoli. >>> mitt romney sounds like he's ready for a reboot and fight. the gop nominee says he'll get more aggressive in the next six weeks of the race. he claims president obama has been putting words in his mouth and he plans to put a stop to it. >> i think that the president's campaign has focused its advertising in many cases on very inaccurate r portrayals of my positions. they've been very aggressive in their attacks both on a personal basis, on a policy basis. >> meanwhile the president says one of the biggest disapointments of his first four years in office is his failure to change the political climate in washington. >> i think that, you know, as president i bear responsibility for everything. to some degree. and one of the things i've realized over the last two years is that that only happens if i'm enlisting the american people much more aggressively than i did the first two years. >> the first presi
consulate in benghazi that killed four americans including ambassador christopher stevens. yesterday libyan security forces say they raided several militia sites in tripoli. >>> mitt romney sounds like he's ready for a reboot and fight. the gop nominee says he'll get more aggressive in the next six weeks of the race. he claims president obama has been putting words in his mouth and he plans to put a stop to it. >> i think that the president's campaign has focused its advertising...
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Sep 13, 2012
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the attack in benghazi, libya. what more are we learning about the attacks and the measures the state department is trying to take to ensure the safety of its personnel left in benghazi, tripoli, and elsewhere? >> you have a couple of things, anderson. what they're trying to do is make sure the security of the people who are left, and that's only in tripoli, not in benghazi, is assured, so they're sending some marines. it's kind of like a quick reaction for us to the embassy in tripoli to beef that up. they're also notifying troops around the world that potentially they could be used in various ways to ensure the security of american personnel and then, of course, as you mentioned, you've got the destroyers. this would be the destroyers and the drones would be used more, let's say, if the president determined that it was a time to strike against whoever was the group that carried out this attack. >> we'll have a look back on the life of the ambassador. jill and jomana, we'll check in with you. this is a story with
the attack in benghazi, libya. what more are we learning about the attacks and the measures the state department is trying to take to ensure the safety of its personnel left in benghazi, tripoli, and elsewhere? >> you have a couple of things, anderson. what they're trying to do is make sure the security of the people who are left, and that's only in tripoli, not in benghazi, is assured, so they're sending some marines. it's kind of like a quick reaction for us to the embassy in tripoli to...
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Sep 27, 2012
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consulate in benghazi libya. and fbi agents have not even stepped foot on to the crime scene or even in the city of benghazi. that rather surprising information coming from top law enforcement officials. what's more, the crime scene has not been secured. here is cnn national security analyst fran townsend. >> what we found out today from senior law enforcement officials is that while the fbi has finally made to tripoli, they never made to benghazi. in fact it was it taking so long to get permission to get into tripoli, the fbi deployed their person flel to a location in the region so they would be closer. they have conducted interviews of the state department and u.s. government personnel in labor i can't libya at the time of the attack. but they've never gotten to benghazi. they made a request that the crime scene be secured. as we know from public reporting, the state department -- we didn't know whether or not the state department put that request to the libyans and whether it was denied. what we know for hsur
consulate in benghazi libya. and fbi agents have not even stepped foot on to the crime scene or even in the city of benghazi. that rather surprising information coming from top law enforcement officials. what's more, the crime scene has not been secured. here is cnn national security analyst fran townsend. >> what we found out today from senior law enforcement officials is that while the fbi has finally made to tripoli, they never made to benghazi. in fact it was it taking so long to get...
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Sep 13, 2012
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consulate in benghazi, libya. the latest on who's suspected to be behind it and the politics that surround it, both important parts of the story but we also want to remember the lives lost. four people killed, four americans. we know two of their names. the other two names have not been released as the government tries to contact their families. there's also reports of a number of libyans who died trying to protect the consulate in benghazi. we know the name sean smith, ten-year veteran of the state departme department, husband and father of two and the name christopher stevens, u.s. ambassador, just 52 years old with a remarkable career. kr chris stevens was first sent there in 2007. last year he was tasked with a formidable and dangerous assignment, america's point man with the forces fighting gadhafi. >> in the early days of the libyan revolution, i asked chris to be our envoy to the rebel opposition. he arrived on a cargo ship in the port of benghazi and began building relationships with libya's revolutionarie
consulate in benghazi, libya. the latest on who's suspected to be behind it and the politics that surround it, both important parts of the story but we also want to remember the lives lost. four people killed, four americans. we know two of their names. the other two names have not been released as the government tries to contact their families. there's also reports of a number of libyans who died trying to protect the consulate in benghazi. we know the name sean smith, ten-year veteran of the...
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Sep 28, 2012
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consulate in benghazi, libya. mr. chairman, thanks very much for coming in. is it true you're calling on the unit state ambassador to the united nations susan rice, to resign because of the comments she made on those five sunday talk shows? >> yes, wolf. i believe that this was such a failure of foreign policy message and leadership, such a misstatement of facts at the time and for her to go on all of those shows and in effect the spokesman for the world and be misinforming the american people and our allies and countries around the world, to me somebody has to pay the price for this. we have too much things go wrong and everyone forgets about it the next day. i think we have to send a clear message. on such an issue where an american ambassador was killed where by all the evidence at the time the presumption had to be it was terrorism. i can see why if they wanted to say - it was intentionally or unintly and to show the significance of that, i believe she should gn, yes. >> because there is statemt that the pokesperson, the director of public affairs for the
consulate in benghazi, libya. mr. chairman, thanks very much for coming in. is it true you're calling on the unit state ambassador to the united nations susan rice, to resign because of the comments she made on those five sunday talk shows? >> yes, wolf. i believe that this was such a failure of foreign policy message and leadership, such a misstatement of facts at the time and for her to go on all of those shows and in effect the spokesman for the world and be misinforming the american...
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Sep 27, 2012
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no mention of being on the ground in benghazi. you are saying they haven't been on the ground in benghazi according to your sources here. is she splitting hairs here? >> in fairness to the secretary, it may be she wanted to be coy about where in libya they were for security concerns. that would be understandable. but the fact is it is not clear they have even been inside of libya for very long. they had difficulty and we understand some bureaucratic infighting between the fbi and justice department on the one hand and the state department on the other. it took longer to get in the country. they have now gotten there but are still unable to get permission to go to benghazi. >> bob baer, you've been involved in a number of aftermath investigations. have you ever heard of anything like this. where whether it is bureaucratic infighting where they are not allowed in a crime scene or have you heard of anything like this? >> i've never heard of it, anderson. this is just outrageous. in the sense that libya is obviously on the edge, but i
no mention of being on the ground in benghazi. you are saying they haven't been on the ground in benghazi according to your sources here. is she splitting hairs here? >> in fairness to the secretary, it may be she wanted to be coy about where in libya they were for security concerns. that would be understandable. but the fact is it is not clear they have even been inside of libya for very long. they had difficulty and we understand some bureaucratic infighting between the fbi and justice...
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Sep 20, 2012
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are you saying president obama is benghazi? >> no, but i'm saying he's responsible for failure in afghanistan and iraq. iraq is now disintegrating, al qaeda is coming back. we didn't leave a residual force in afghanistan, he overruled his military advisers on several occasions, including 30,000 instead of 40,000 for the surge and accelerated withdrawal dates and now we have a situation where taliban and our enemies know we are leaving, and the whole premise, was to train afghans to turn over these responsibilities to them, and leave. now how can we train and work with these people if so many them are killing americans we can't even train and operate with them? by that policy, it has been an abject failure. >> we'll talk more with senator mccain about domestic issues a bit later in the program. first, bob baer and fran townsend. fran, served as a member of the cia external advisory committee, and last month visited libya with her employer, mccannkancan forbes. he said that there were security concerns. >> we had a long conversat
are you saying president obama is benghazi? >> no, but i'm saying he's responsible for failure in afghanistan and iraq. iraq is now disintegrating, al qaeda is coming back. we didn't leave a residual force in afghanistan, he overruled his military advisers on several occasions, including 30,000 instead of 40,000 for the surge and accelerated withdrawal dates and now we have a situation where taliban and our enemies know we are leaving, and the whole premise, was to train afghans to turn...
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Sep 12, 2012
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he knew benghazi. he knew the rebels in benghazi. he felt very comfortable there. this is not your typical sort of starched white shirt ambassador. this was a guy who was a real professional. who rolled his sleeves up, who wanted to help the libyans get the freedom that they have fought for. and so, it's an extraordinary loss not only for the state department, and obviously chris' family, but for the country. my only experience there has been libya was in a very fragile security situation and really needs the attention and support of the international community. and so, look, unfortunately, it will now get the attention it needed before this tragedy. it will get it now, because of this. >> right, fran, by all accounts chris stevens was a very special man with a very special affinity to libya. he was a key part in the american roll there over the last year and a half as the rapid changes were happening there in the arab spring. what does his death then today signify to you? >> well, look, i think we have supported the freedom movement. especially in libya. we suppor
he knew benghazi. he knew the rebels in benghazi. he felt very comfortable there. this is not your typical sort of starched white shirt ambassador. this was a guy who was a real professional. who rolled his sleeves up, who wanted to help the libyans get the freedom that they have fought for. and so, it's an extraordinary loss not only for the state department, and obviously chris' family, but for the country. my only experience there has been libya was in a very fragile security situation and...
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Sep 15, 2012
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consulate in benghazi. we have cnn's most complete picture yet of the violence that night and the warnings that came days before. >> reporter: amid the ash, soot, and debris, remnants of a life that was, and what it meant to those stationed here. traces of bloodstained libyan officials say tuesday night's attack was planned by islamist militants and quickly overwhelmed the libyan and american guards. the compound's first his guarde chaos, smoke, and darkness, died of smoke inhalation. what we're being told is that the ambassador's security detail brought him into this location, shutting the door, trying to ensure his safety. and then we are being told that when the situation finally calmed down, the ambassador's body was then taken out through this window by a group of libyans. our consulate staff were evacuated to what was supposed to be a safe house, but then it too was targeted. that's where two more americans died. libya's government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, but the country's pres
consulate in benghazi. we have cnn's most complete picture yet of the violence that night and the warnings that came days before. >> reporter: amid the ash, soot, and debris, remnants of a life that was, and what it meant to those stationed here. traces of bloodstained libyan officials say tuesday night's attack was planned by islamist militants and quickly overwhelmed the libyan and american guards. the compound's first his guarde chaos, smoke, and darkness, died of smoke inhalation....
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Sep 20, 2012
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have given him more security, particularly in benghazi. as you know, that country is divided very badly, and there's significant competition, and there's far more islamic influence in that part of libya than in tripoli. >> previously as you mention, people from the obama administration said they felt this was not a planned attack, sort of an offshoot of this video. but the director of the counterterrorism center said that it did appear to be a terrorist attack. he didn't say whether it was preplan or not but it definitely goes beyond what we heard before. how significant do you think that is? >> i think it is significant that the president's spokesperson would go on our networks and tell people things that are absolutely false and, by the way, fly in the face of the facts. i think maybe the american people are owed an apology. but the most important thing is that we have to understand that this video was not the cause of it. the cause of it was islamists who use these videos in order to inflame these people in order to attack america. ande
have given him more security, particularly in benghazi. as you know, that country is divided very badly, and there's significant competition, and there's far more islamic influence in that part of libya than in tripoli. >> previously as you mention, people from the obama administration said they felt this was not a planned attack, sort of an offshoot of this video. but the director of the counterterrorism center said that it did appear to be a terrorist attack. he didn't say whether it...
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in benghazi there have been more than a dozen assassinations of former military officers. sources tell cnn that many of them were reportedly on an islamist hit list to eliminate qualified individuals that could pose a threat. colonel of the libyan army was recently kidnapped. he says he doesn't know by whom or exactly why. he got a call from a man who spoke as if he knew him and said he had urgent information to pass on. outside his home in broad daylight two masked men forced him into theircar. wh i got into the car they put a black hood on my head and began saying things like, you're going to see, threatening me, he tells us. later he was forced to his knees ism.told to repentnd hen hethou hasoing to die when the phone rang. i could hear someone y, he's alive. we haven't killed him yet. you can hear his voice, he recalls. and then he was free. the influence of these radical groups has emerged in the capital. last month they destroyed shrines including this one right in thert oripo. a move tycalf sill fist intolenc as the shrine wasg libyansecuri fce ses say facilitated e
in benghazi there have been more than a dozen assassinations of former military officers. sources tell cnn that many of them were reportedly on an islamist hit list to eliminate qualified individuals that could pose a threat. colonel of the libyan army was recently kidnapped. he says he doesn't know by whom or exactly why. he got a call from a man who spoke as if he knew him and said he had urgent information to pass on. outside his home in broad daylight two masked men forced him into...
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at the benghazi. this after the united states, the nato allies, many in the arab world and moderate arab states worked together to get rid of gadhafi in libya and to see the attack on a mission in benghazi, that's way beyond politics, carol. this is a huge national security issue that's developed and goes to underscore that in these kinds of presidential debates when everyone is focusing on domestic issues, economic issues, the jobs related issues and domestic social issues that a national security crisis and this is a crisis right now can explode. you got what's going on in ben zba ga zi in libya right now. you got what's going on in cairo. american flags are burned. and it's a dangerous situation. this is one of the largest diplomatic missions that the united states has in the world. a lot of americans serving at the u.s. embassy in cairo. that's where they distribute more than $1.5 billion a year in u.s. economic and military assistance. mostly military assistance to egypt. but all that very much u
at the benghazi. this after the united states, the nato allies, many in the arab world and moderate arab states worked together to get rid of gadhafi in libya and to see the attack on a mission in benghazi, that's way beyond politics, carol. this is a huge national security issue that's developed and goes to underscore that in these kinds of presidential debates when everyone is focusing on domestic issues, economic issues, the jobs related issues and domestic social issues that a national...
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they're now in custody in benghazi. we'll talk with arwa damon, and, first of all, what do we know about these suspects? >> well, what the government is saying is that they do now believe that these attacks were carried out by extremist groups. they're not going so far as to identify which ones, but they are also saying that they believe that the attacks were preplanned and the intept was to inflict maximum damage on westerns, specifically u.s. interests. the motive of the attack, to drive apart libyans and americans and try to sabotage their relationship, but this attack really goes to underscore just how volatile this country is. these armed groups, and there are many of them, operate with near impunity, especially in benghazi, and all the libyans we have been talking to first and foremost express their anguish over what took place. really want the world, especially americans, to know that these actions are not supported by the majority of the population, but are also demanding of their government to somehow reign in
they're now in custody in benghazi. we'll talk with arwa damon, and, first of all, what do we know about these suspects? >> well, what the government is saying is that they do now believe that these attacks were carried out by extremist groups. they're not going so far as to identify which ones, but they are also saying that they believe that the attacks were preplanned and the intept was to inflict maximum damage on westerns, specifically u.s. interests. the motive of the attack, to...
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consulate in benghazi. four u.s. staffers, including ambassador chris stevens, were killed when an armed mob stormed the complex on tuesday. libyan and u.s. officials suspect a small group of jihadists are responsible and they believe the attack was not connected to a protest over an on line movie ridiculing muslims. joining us now, nedula. first of all, your family is there in libya and you have been talking to them. what are they telling you about what is taking place there? >> well, everybody so far has expressed absolute condemnation, grief over what happened. ambassador stevens was well respected and well liked in libya and everybody is just stunned about what happened. i'm keen to emphasize that this attack in no way represents libyan sentiments or feelings towards the americans or towards the american government. >> is your family afraid of what is taking place there? when we see these pictures, it looks very violent. i know it's a very small group, but it does look rather frightening and alarming what's takin
consulate in benghazi. four u.s. staffers, including ambassador chris stevens, were killed when an armed mob stormed the complex on tuesday. libyan and u.s. officials suspect a small group of jihadists are responsible and they believe the attack was not connected to a protest over an on line movie ridiculing muslims. joining us now, nedula. first of all, your family is there in libya and you have been talking to them. what are they telling you about what is taking place there? >> well,...
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. >> protesters are taking the situation into their own arms and taking on known extremists in benghazi. >> there were dozens injured on friday night there, and we will have more. >>> the retired agent of a cia agent wants to meet with the president of iran to plead for her husband return. he disappeared in 2007, and now pictures are up in hopes that mahmoud ahmadinejad will see them. he was seen two years ago pleading with the u.s. government for his release. >> 33 years of service to the united states, and i deserve something. >> the iran's president has repeatedly turned down requests from levinson's wife. >>> at least 220 people were killed today in syria with government forces shelling aleppo and the government forces, and this comes as the syrian free army are moving into territory that the fighters have seized. they have many defectors from the syrian army to fight the regime. >> i'm not fighting to create a democratic or republican job, but american jobs. >>> president obama campaigned in wisconsin for the first time in more than 200 days. wisconsin may be a surprise battlegroun
. >> protesters are taking the situation into their own arms and taking on known extremists in benghazi. >> there were dozens injured on friday night there, and we will have more. >>> the retired agent of a cia agent wants to meet with the president of iran to plead for her husband return. he disappeared in 2007, and now pictures are up in hopes that mahmoud ahmadinejad will see them. he was seen two years ago pleading with the u.s. government for his release. >> 33...
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tell us about this attention that erupted in benghazi. it did not actually happen in tripoli. are you in tripoli. how are people responding to what has taken place? >> well, the situation here in tripoli does seem to be normal. people are on the streets. there seems to be nothing but the news that -- of what happened in bengazy spreading across tripoli today. most of the people i have token to, people in the capital here, are shocked and saddened by this attack. they say that it does not reflect the way libyans treat their guests. this is not the way libyans feel about the united states, and they do appreciate and do express gratitude for the rule the united states played last year as part of the nato alliance in helping the libyan people in ousting mow har gadhafi during their revolution. we are hearing also from government officials who are condemning this. they're also promising to bring those responsible to justice to have an investigation into what actually happened and who is responsible for this attack. >> i want to play a bit of sound here. this is from a libyan govern
tell us about this attention that erupted in benghazi. it did not actually happen in tripoli. are you in tripoli. how are people responding to what has taken place? >> well, the situation here in tripoli does seem to be normal. people are on the streets. there seems to be nothing but the news that -- of what happened in bengazy spreading across tripoli today. most of the people i have token to, people in the capital here, are shocked and saddened by this attack. they say that it does not...
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people now probably realize this was not something in benghazi that just spontaneously happened. >> i'm curious with the reporting we had, there was this meeting and at the meeting, americans were told that quote the situation is frightening, it scares us and the americans were advised to decrease their presence in benghazi. americans didn't ask for more security and according to the state department, that whole meeting never went up the chain of command. that's pretty frightening there's that lack of coordination or information sharing going on, isn't it? is that something you fear happening there and elsewhere? >> well, certainly, i can't verify what you've just relayed, but if in fact that happened, certainly, that's very concerning. >> let me ask you a question on this issue of premeditation. i know you're frustrated by that briefs you received today, but why is it that the libyan government says this was premeditated and we hear susan rice, jay carney, from their information, it was not. what do you think would explain that or why would the u.s. government explain things so differe
people now probably realize this was not something in benghazi that just spontaneously happened. >> i'm curious with the reporting we had, there was this meeting and at the meeting, americans were told that quote the situation is frightening, it scares us and the americans were advised to decrease their presence in benghazi. americans didn't ask for more security and according to the state department, that whole meeting never went up the chain of command. that's pretty frightening there's...
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but he suggested to me at some point to go to benghazi, to see for myself. so i think he understood very well the increasing concern about extremism, but he never did mention to me anything about his being on an al qaeda hit list. >> and as far as security goes there are so many situations that can seem so worrisome and not just in libya. fran, thank you. appreciate your insight this morning. thanks so much. >>> the death of ambassador stevens, just the beginning, in fact, politically speaking. the white house's top brass now about to brief congress on the volatile and deadly situation that's unfolding right now. we've had violent clashes erupting from north africa throughout the middle east and southeast asia. this is a glimpse of the hot spots on your map in front of you. of these explosive attacks, there have also been suicide bombings. anti-american sentiments have been unleashed mostly because of that anti-islam film, if you want to call it that, movie, piece of tape, youtube clip. members of the house and senate are now about to get the briefing from s
but he suggested to me at some point to go to benghazi, to see for myself. so i think he understood very well the increasing concern about extremism, but he never did mention to me anything about his being on an al qaeda hit list. >> and as far as security goes there are so many situations that can seem so worrisome and not just in libya. fran, thank you. appreciate your insight this morning. thanks so much. >>> the death of ambassador stevens, just the beginning, in fact,...
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our third story, benghazi gate. there is a deep disconnect in washington over what happened the nikt ambassador chris stevens was killed. today, leon panetta stepped in to the fray, finally using the t word. >> the reason i think pretty clearly it was a terrorist attack because a group of terrorists obviously conducted that attack on the consulate. and against our individuals. >> clearly, a terrorist attack. now, panetta stopped short of saying which terrorist group was specifically responsible, but for two weeks, the white house and state department have refrained from blaming terrorists directly and when hillary clinton started to ame al-qaeda, the state department backed off. here she is in the u.n. meeting we reported on last night connecting al-qaeda linked groups to what she called the tragic attack. >> for some time, al-qaeda in the islamic mag and other groups have launched attacks and kid p kidnappings to other countries and are working with other extremists to undermine the transitions in north africa as w
our third story, benghazi gate. there is a deep disconnect in washington over what happened the nikt ambassador chris stevens was killed. today, leon panetta stepped in to the fray, finally using the t word. >> the reason i think pretty clearly it was a terrorist attack because a group of terrorists obviously conducted that attack on the consulate. and against our individuals. >> clearly, a terrorist attack. now, panetta stopped short of saying which terrorist group was specifically...
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ambassador and four other than americans are in custody in benghazi. they're being indirectly linked to the rocket attack on the u.s. consulate. i want to talk to jimana in tripoli, the libyan capital west of benghazi. first of all, what do we know about those arrested? >> very little, suzanne, so far. what we understand from libyan officials is that at least one of those arrested is a -- they were detained in benghazi yesterday. we know they are being interrogated to see what role they had in the attack, but according to one sore libyan official today, they may not have been directly linked to the attack. they may have ties to the extremist organization that carried out the attack. they have not been charged yet. they are detained and being intrargted acorked to libyan officials, so we should be knowing about this as information is released by the libyan government. >> do we believe these people are really responsible for what took place, or does this look like this is more kind of a show? >> well, quite frankly, suzanne, the libyan government here is
ambassador and four other than americans are in custody in benghazi. they're being indirectly linked to the rocket attack on the u.s. consulate. i want to talk to jimana in tripoli, the libyan capital west of benghazi. first of all, what do we know about those arrested? >> very little, suzanne, so far. what we understand from libyan officials is that at least one of those arrested is a -- they were detained in benghazi yesterday. we know they are being interrogated to see what role they...
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territory in both benghazi and cairo were over. third, it's the responsibility of our political leaders to stand up for what they think are right. and governor romney doesn't think it's right to apologize that we allow people the freedom of speech. he's not condoning how this might use this freedom. but that's in our constitution, that's our values, that's our history. those are the things brave americans have stood for and died for. of course, we have condolences and sympathy for the people that died. they served our country well. >> absolutely. that's the point here instead of focusing on the people that have lost their lives and people in harm's way, we're talking about who should be apologizing for what when most people see that is not the story. thank you for everything you just said, but my initial question was, it couldn't wait? >> well, let me again reiterate. the timeline you suggest was not the same that i just went through. >> i'm not asking about the timeline. it couldn't wait until all of the information -- hang on. le
territory in both benghazi and cairo were over. third, it's the responsibility of our political leaders to stand up for what they think are right. and governor romney doesn't think it's right to apologize that we allow people the freedom of speech. he's not condoning how this might use this freedom. but that's in our constitution, that's our values, that's our history. those are the things brave americans have stood for and died for. of course, we have condolences and sympathy for the people...
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put benghazi on notice that he's on his way to benghazi to hunt the people of benghazi to hunt them down, house by house, street by street, alleyway by alleyway, as he put it. and then this fine -- devoted his life to this region being gunned downindeed. we don't know who is responsible. we've heard various speculation. the chairman of the house intelligence committee thinks it has some fingerprints of al qaeda or at least al qaeda-inspired affiliate operation. what do you think? >> you know, wolf, i think we have to remember that al qaeda had deep presence, actually, in libya, and we go back to the infiltration of al qaeda into iraq a while ago. a few years ago. what we learned when the americans got the documents, the computer records of the jihadists, they captured records and what they learned is the largest group of jihadists came from saudi arabia. the second largest group came from libya. so there has always been an al qaeda presence in libya. there was a presence that gadhafi occasionally used in the fashion of the dictators of the arab world. they could wink at terrorism wh
put benghazi on notice that he's on his way to benghazi to hunt the people of benghazi to hunt them down, house by house, street by street, alleyway by alleyway, as he put it. and then this fine -- devoted his life to this region being gunned downindeed. we don't know who is responsible. we've heard various speculation. the chairman of the house intelligence committee thinks it has some fingerprints of al qaeda or at least al qaeda-inspired affiliate operation. what do you think? >> you...
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as we tragically saw in benghazi. after our show, the state department backtracked saying clinton was speaking generally about al-qaeda, which is why it is important to tell you what we have confirmed tonight. a senior u.s. official tells cnn that u.s. intelligence knew the benghazi attack was the work of extremists affiliated with or inspired by al-qaeda and they knew this within 24 hours of the attack. something does not add up. if u.s. intelligence knew al-qaeda linked groups were involved, why didn't the secretary of state or the white house say so? if not to the public, at least in the briefings they've prouded to intelligence committee members in congress? voters also don't seem to think the handing of the attacks adds up. when bloomberg asked who would be tougher on terrorism, mitt romney came out on top, 48% to 42%. and the administration is facing criticism. bob corker is one of them and he is "outfront" tonight. appreciate your taking the time. now, i know you have written a letter and you, sir, have asked f
as we tragically saw in benghazi. after our show, the state department backtracked saying clinton was speaking generally about al-qaeda, which is why it is important to tell you what we have confirmed tonight. a senior u.s. official tells cnn that u.s. intelligence knew the benghazi attack was the work of extremists affiliated with or inspired by al-qaeda and they knew this within 24 hours of the attack. something does not add up. if u.s. intelligence knew al-qaeda linked groups were involved,...
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that's the american consulate building in benghazi. we want to get straight to cairo. we're hearing that someone has been arrested in conjunction with the attacks. but one of the groups linked with al qaeda that's recently claimed responsibility for attacks on america and other interests said they had nothing to do with this one. is ansar al sharia brigade. what can you tell us? >> reporter: the brigade issued a statement saying they were not involved in the incident that took place, the assault on the consulate itself. but that statement is being met with pretty wide skepticism with the libyans we speak to and even the authorities themselves. there have been reports that there have been clashes breaking out between government forces, between some of the other extremist groups that have turned on ansar al sharia realizing what the short fallout of this horrific assault could potentially be. and this just really goes to underscore, erin, how many challenges this country faces. the fact that this very much a nation that is run by these militias, these armed groups that a
that's the american consulate building in benghazi. we want to get straight to cairo. we're hearing that someone has been arrested in conjunction with the attacks. but one of the groups linked with al qaeda that's recently claimed responsibility for attacks on america and other interests said they had nothing to do with this one. is ansar al sharia brigade. what can you tell us? >> reporter: the brigade issued a statement saying they were not involved in the incident that took place, the...
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benghazi, counter protesters are trying to reclaim the city. >> the pro-democracy demonstrators began taking the situation into their own hands and storming various headquarters of known extremist militias in the city of benghazi. >> counter protesters were met by some resistance. four people were killed and dozens injured on friday night. >> the wife of a missing retired fbi agent hopes to meet with the president of iran to plea for her husband's safe return. robert levenson disappeared on an island off iran's coast in 2007. now billboards with his picture are up in new york in hopes iran's president will see them when he attends the u.n. assembly next week. >> 33 years of service to the united states deserves something. >> iran's president has repeatedly turned down meeting requests from his wife. >>> at least 220 people were killed today in syria with government forces shelling the damascus suburbs. they're moving into territories the fighters have seized. the group has many soldiers who defected from syria's army to fight the regime. >> i'm not fighting to create democratic or rep
benghazi, counter protesters are trying to reclaim the city. >> the pro-democracy demonstrators began taking the situation into their own hands and storming various headquarters of known extremist militias in the city of benghazi. >> counter protesters were met by some resistance. four people were killed and dozens injured on friday night. >> the wife of a missing retired fbi agent hopes to meet with the president of iran to plea for her husband's safe return. robert levenson...